Virginia cook employment contract template

Virginia Full-Time Cook Employment Agreement

This Virginia Full-Time Cook Employment Agreement is made and entered into as of [Date], by and between [Employer Name], located at [Employer Address], hereinafter referred to as "Employer," and [Employee Name], residing at [Employee Address], hereinafter referred to as "Employee."

1. Position:

• Option A: The Employer hereby employs the Employee as a [Specific Cook Type, e.g., Line Cook, Prep Cook, Sous Chef].
• Option B: The position is Cook. The Employee is a full-time employee as defined under Virginia law.

2. Job Duties:

• Preparing food items per menu specifications.
• Following standardized recipes.
• Executing food presentation standards.
• Operating kitchen equipment (stoves, fryers, ovens, grills, slicers).
• Safe and hygienic use and cleaning of knives and sharp tools.
• Food preparation and mise en place.
• Monitoring inventory and rotating ingredients.
• Complying with all food safety and sanitation standards.
• Managing allergens.
• Labeling and storing food items safely per Virginia Department of Health regulations.
• Minimizing food waste.
• Assisting in receiving and inspection of deliveries.
• Reporting equipment maintenance needs.
• Maintaining kitchen cleanliness per local health codes.

3. Place of Work:

• Option A: The Employee's primary place of work will be at [Restaurant/Kitchen Name] located at [Address] in Virginia.
• Option B: The Employee's primary place of work will be at [Restaurant/Kitchen Name] located at [Address] in Virginia. The Employee may be required to perform occasional offsite catering duties.
• The Employee is expected to be punctual, adhere to shift handover procedures, and follow the uniform/dress code as specified for kitchen staff.

4. Schedule:

• Option A: The Employee's work schedule will be [Number] hours per week, consisting of [Days of the Week], from [Start Time] to [End Time]. Meal and rest breaks will be provided in accordance with the Virginia Minimum Wage Act and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
• Option B: The Employee's work schedule will be determined by the Employer and may vary. The Employer will provide meal and rest breaks in accordance with the Virginia Minimum Wage Act and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
• The Employee may be required to work weekends and holidays as needed. Mandatory overtime will be compensated at not less than 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek, in compliance with Virginia wage and hour laws.

5. Compensation:

• Option A (Hourly): The Employee will be paid at a rate of [Dollar Amount] per hour.
• Option B (Salary): The Employee will be paid a salary of [Dollar Amount] per year.
• The Employee will be paid [Payment Method, e.g., direct deposit, check] on a [Pay Cycle, e.g., bi-weekly] basis.
• Option A: Tip pooling or sharing will be conducted according to the following policy: [Detailed Tip Policy].
• Option B: This position is not eligible for tip pooling or sharing.
• Option A: The Employee is eligible for a shift differential of [Dollar Amount] for [Specify Shifts/Circumstances].
• Option B: The Employee is eligible for a sign-on bonus of [Dollar Amount], payable according to the following schedule: [Payment Schedule].
• Option C: The Employee may be eligible for incentive pay for special duties, such as banquet service or menu development, as determined by the Employer.

6. Benefits:

• Option A: The Employee is eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance in accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Virginia Minimum Essential Coverage requirements. Details of the plan will be provided separately.
• Option B: The Employee is eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance after [Number] days of employment, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Virginia Minimum Essential Coverage requirements. Details of the plan will be provided separately.
• The Employee is eligible for [Number] days of paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays) per year, according to the Employer's policy and Virginia state and local policies.
• Option A: The Employer provides a 401(k) retirement plan. The Employee is eligible to participate after [Number] months of employment.
• Option B: The Employer does not provide a 401(k) retirement plan.
• The Employee is eligible for a [Description, e.g., free meal during shift, staff food allowance of $X per week].
• Option A: The Employer provides uniforms or laundering services.
• Option B: The Employee is responsible for providing their own uniforms, adhering to the Employer's dress code.
• Option A: The Employer may provide reimbursement for professional development, such as culinary training or certification.
• Option B: The Employer does not provide reimbursement for professional development.
• Option A: The Employer provides a transportation/parking stipend of [Dollar Amount] per [Time Period].
• Option B: The Employer does not provide a transportation/parking stipend.

7. Food Handler Permit and Training:

• The Employee is required to obtain and maintain a valid Virginia food handler permit or complete equivalent training for safe food preparation, as required by the Virginia Department of Health. The [Employer/Employee] is responsible for the cost of obtaining and renewing the permit.

8. Safety and Sanitation:

• The Employee must comply with all safety and sanitation regulations, including safe handling and disposal of food waste and sharps, injury reporting per the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act, biological hazard training, and proper use of personal protective equipment in the kitchen.

9. Confidentiality:

• The Employee shall maintain the confidentiality of all proprietary recipes, preparation techniques, supplier/vendor details, pricing, and business operations of the Employer. The Employee is prohibited from sharing trade secrets with third parties during and after employment.

10. Outside Employment:

• The Employee is prohibited from engaging in outside employment or commercial food sale using the Employer's recipes or methods without the Employer's written consent.

11. Performance Evaluation:

• The Employee's performance will be evaluated based on criteria such as speed, quality, adherence to recipes and presentation, teamwork, kitchen cleanliness, and health department inspection scores. The Employee will report to [Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Supervisor]. The Employee is required to participate in required kitchen meetings, menu tastings, or training events.

12. Code of Conduct:

• The Employee must adhere to the Employer's code of conduct, including policies on hygiene, uniform standards, use of cell phones in the kitchen, substance abuse (in line with Virginia law), workplace violence and harassment, and compliance with the Employer's health, safety, and anti-harassment policies under the Virginia Human Rights Act and Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) program.

13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution:

• This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall first be addressed through an internal complaint procedure. If the dispute is not resolved internally, the parties agree to attempt to resolve it through mediation or arbitration before resorting to litigation. Venue for any legal action shall be in [Specific Virginia County or City].

14. Non-Compete/Non-Solicitation:

• Option A: (If Applicable and Compliant with Virginia Law) Employee agrees not to solicit other employees or customers for [Number] months after termination of employment within a [Number] mile radius of the business.
• Option B: (If Employee is a "low-wage worker" as defined by Virginia Law) This agreement does not contain a non-compete clause.

15. Termination:

• The Employee may resign voluntarily by providing [Number] days' written notice to the Employer. The Employer will provide the Employee's final pay in accordance with Virginia law.
• The Employer may terminate the Employee's employment for cause, such as misconduct, repeated health code violations, safety breaches, or unsatisfactory performance. The Employer will document the reasons for termination.
• The Employer may also terminate the Employee's employment due to a reduction in force.
• Upon termination, the Employee must return all uniforms, keys, and complete an exit checklist.

16. Health Screenings/Vaccinations:

• To the extent allowed under Virginia and federal law, the Employer may require health screenings or vaccinations as a condition of continued employment. The Employer will comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding employee health information. The Employee must adhere to COVID-19 or other infectious disease protocols as may be required by local authorities.

17. Anti-Discrimination:

• The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Employer complies with the Virginia Human Rights Act and all other applicable anti-discrimination laws. Employees have workplace reporting options for harassment or discrimination.

18. Employee Acknowledgment:

• The Employee acknowledges that they have read and understand the Employer's kitchen safety rules, food allergen policies, and the Virginia Restaurant Association health and safety handbook or company equivalent.

19. At-Will Employment:

• This Agreement is for at-will employment, and either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

20. Severability:

• If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

21. Entire Agreement:

• This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written.

22. Amendment:

• This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties.

23. Electronic Signatures:

• Option A: The parties agree that electronic signatures shall have the same force and effect as original signatures.
• Option B: This agreement must be executed with original signatures.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

[Employer Name]

By: [Employer Signature]

Name: [Printed Name of Employer]

Title: [Title of Employer]

[Employee Name]

By: [Employee Signature]

Name: [Printed Name of Employee]